If you’ve recently walked along the shoreline and spotted thousands of tiny, blue, plastic-like shapes, you aren’t alone. These strange-looking objects are actually living creatures that often arrive on the coast in massive numbers. While it can be a bit shocking to see so many of them at once, they are a normal part of the ocean’s cycle.
What are these blue ovals?
These creatures are known as “By-the-Wind Sailors,” or by their scientific name, Velella velella. Even though they look like a single animal, they are actually a colony of tiny organisms living together as one.
Each one has a flat, blue base and a clear, stiff fin on top. This fin acts just like a sail on a boat. Since they live on the surface of the water, they rely entirely on the wind to move them across the sea. When the wind blows toward the land for a long time, thousands of these “sailors” end up washing onto the sand.
Are they dangerous to touch?
For most people, these creatures are not dangerous. They do have tiny stinging cells that they use to catch even smaller ocean life for food, but these are usually too weak to hurt humans.
However, you should still be careful. If you have very sensitive skin, you might feel a little bit of a tingle or get a small rash if you touch them. It is always a good idea to avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling anything on the beach. If a child or a pet accidentally eats one, it could cause an upset stomach, so it is best to keep a close watch on them.
How to tell them apart from “The Portuguese Man o’ War”
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